The Criminal Defense Law Center of
West Michigan
- Wyoming, MI 49519
- Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- 616-438-6719
Delivery Manufacture Of A Controlled Substance
Delivery/Manufacture Of A Controlled Substance
Defending Against Delivery & Manufacture Charges in Grand Rapids
“In Michigan, the difference between a few years of probation and a life-altering prison sentence often comes down to one word: Intent.
Possession (MCL 333.7403): Generally treated as personal use, though still a serious felony for Schedule 1 and 2 drugs like Cocaine, Heroin, or Meth.
Delivery/Manufacture (MCL 333.7401): This charge alleges you were part of the supply chain. In 2026, the quantities required to trigger ‘Intent to Deliver’ have become a major legal battleground in the 17th Circuit Court.
The Shawn Haff Advantage: Prosecutors often ‘overcharge’ by assuming that a larger personal stash is evidence of a sale. We move with professional urgency to reclassify these cases as personal use, often qualifying our clients for MCL 333.7411 or specialized Drug Court programs that keep their records clean.”
Challenging the Digital and Physical Evidence of Distribution
“To win a Delivery/Manufacture case in 2026, your lawyer must be a master of digital forensics.
The Cell Phone Trap: Most ‘Intent’ charges are built on text messages or CashApp logs. We analyze the ‘metadata’ to prove that vague messages were taken out of context by aggressive Grand Rapids Police detectives.
Chain of Custody Scrutiny: We demand a full audit of the Michigan State Police lab results. If the weight of the substance was improperly calculated (including packaging), it can be the difference between a 4-year and a 20-year felony.
Search Warrant Vulnerability: Was the ‘Confidential Informant’ reliable? If the search warrant for your home or vehicle was based on stale or fabricated info, we file a Motion to Suppress to get the evidence thrown out.”
Your Shield Against the West Michigan Legal System
“At the Criminal Defense Law Center of West Michigan, we provide an unrivaled defense for all high-stakes allegations. Whether you are facing a DUI or Drunk Driving arrest, or you have been wrongfully accused of Retail Fraud, Shoplifting, or Domestic Violence, you must hire the best West Michigan attorney around Shawn Haff right away.
In complex cases involving Criminal Sexual Conduct or the Manufacture of a Controlled Substance, the prosecution is already building a narrative against you. Don’t wait for them to finish. Secure a powerhouse advocate today.”
Grand Rapids Drug Delivery & Manufacture FAQ
Is ‘Delivery’ only for selling drugs? No. Under Michigan law, ‘delivery’ includes simply handing a substance to another person, even if no money changed hands.
What are the penalties for manufacturing meth? Under MCL 333.7401(2)(b)(i), manufacturing meth is a 20-year felony. We specialize in challenging the ‘operating a lab’ evidence to get these charges reduced.
Can I get a drug delivery charge expunged? Under 2026 ‘Clean Slate’ updates, certain drug felonies are eligible for expungement, but only after a significant waiting period and a clean record. We can help you navigate this process.
Michigan law enforcement handles delivery Manufacture of a Controlled Substance drug charges and cases much more severely than possession of drug charges. Manufacturing charges are treated more like cases involving the intent to deliver.
A person is guilty of manufacturing a drug when they take a legal substance, and by chemical processes or some type of extraction, they make the substance into an illegal substance. Manufacturing can also include taking a substance that is illegal and change it into another illegal substance.
The manufacturing of drugs can also be taking an illegal or legal drug that is illegal, repackage it and then sell it in an illegally. According to the law in Michigan a person cannot lawfully manufacture, create, deliver, or possess with the intent to manufacture, create, or deliver a controlled substance, a controlled prescription, a counterfeit prescription, or a counterfeit drug.
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The Current Michigan Law
Under Section 333.7401c of the Michigan Public Health Code a person maybe charged with delivery manufacture of a controlled substance in Michigan when they:
- Own, possess or use a vehicle, building, structure, or land you know is being used to manufacture drugs, such as a trailer used to manufacture meth
- Own or possess chemicals or lab equipment you know is being used to manufacture drugs
- Provide chemicals or lab equipment to someone else when you know they’ll be used to manufacture drugs
A controlled substance could include any number of drugs, either illicit street drugs or legal prescription drugs when they’re being trafficked by unauthorized people and without valid prescriptions. Some common drugs involved in drug trafficking charges include:
Penalties For Violating Section 333.7401
A conviction for creating, manufacturing, possession or delivering, with intent under Section 333.7401 is felony charge in Michigan. If you’re convicted, the possible sentence can range from two years to life in prison. The penalties you face depend on the type of drug involved and the amount you were alleged to have trafficked.
The penalties below have been codified by the Michigan legislature. Remember, that the penalty you receive may also depend on the circuit court judge you are in front of. There are some judges that hammer people at sentencing for drug charges and others that typically sentence a lot easier.
The statutory penalties when you’re convicted of violating Section 333.7401 include:
- Schedule 5 drugs — You may be sentenced to up to 2 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $2,000.
- Schedule 4 drugs — You may be sentenced to up to 4 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $2,000.
- Schedule 1, 2, or 3 drugs other than narcotics, cocaine or marijuana — You may be sentenced to up to 7 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $10,000.
- Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL) — You may be sentenced to up to 7 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $5,000.
- Ecstasy, MDMA or Methamphetamine — You may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $25,000.
- Less than 50 grams of a Schedule 1 or 2 narcotic or cocaine — You may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $25,000.
- 50 to 450 grams of a Schedule 1 or 2 narcotic or cocaine — You may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $250,000.
- 450 to 1,000 grams of a Schedule 1 or 2 narcotic or cocaine — You may be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $500,000.
- 1,000 grams or more of a Schedule 1 or 2 narcotic or cocaine — You may be sentenced to up to life in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $1 million
When you are charged with manufacturing a controlled substance because you knew drugs were being made on your property or possessed, or with chemicals or lab equipment possessed, or provided, you face felony penalties under Section 333.7401c.
The general conviction for drug manufacturing under this section is up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. However, the penalties can be even harsher under certain circumstances, including:
- Manufacturing Drugs in the Presence of a Minor — You may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $100,000
- Manufacturing Drugs Within 500 Feet of a Residence, Business, School, or Church — You may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $100,000
- Manufacturing Drugs Resulting in Hazardous Waste — When the alleged drug manufacturing results in the unlawful generation, treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste, you may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $100,000
- Manufacturing Drugs Involving a Firearm — When the alleged drug manufacturing involves the possession, placement, or use of a firearm or weapon, you may be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $100,000
- Manufacturing Methamphetamine — You may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and required to pay a fine of up to $25,000
Serious drug convictions can also bring significant financial stress, especially with large fines and legal costs. This often raises the question: can I file bankruptcy and keep my house?
Suspension Of Your Drivers License
In Michigan, anytime you’re convicted of an offense involving drugs, the Secretary of State’s Office must suspend your driver’s license.
- First Conviction — 6 months driver’s license suspension, with the possibility of a restricted license after 30 days
- Second or Subsequent Conviction — 1-year driver’s license suspension, with the possibility of a restricted license after 60 days
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